Government to loan ABC $90m for new Melbourne headquarters

02 May, 2013 by
Emily Blatchford

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation could be expanding into a new Melbourne headquarters.

This morning, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the Federal Government would support the construction of a new multi-million dollar ABC headquarters in Southbank, Melbourne.

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“Subject to approval of Parliament, the Government will provide the ABC with a loan of $90 million to assist the construction of a purpose-built facility at Southbank, Melbourne,” Senator Conroy said.

“The new headquarters will house the ABC’s radio, television and digital production operations, as well as its broadcasting and support services.

“The ABC is currently spread across three sites in Melbourne: two at Elsternwick and one in Southbank.

“By consolidating operations, it will allow the ABC to achieve operational savings and productivity benefits that will ensure it can continue delivering high quality content across a broader range of platforms.

“The ABC has grown into a multi-platform media organisation, which delivers a range of news, current affairs, sport, and entertainment programs that are accessed by millions of Australians every day.

“The new facility will help the ABC meet its needs into the future.”

The Government’s $90 million loan will support the construction and fit-out costs of the project, while the ABC will fund the remaining costs itself.
The ABC will repay the loan by 2020-21.